Yoh poses in Giants jersey at Tokyo press conference

2016/12/19 21:47:19

Tokyo, Dec. 15 (CNA) Taiwanese baseball player Yoh Daikan (陽岱鋼) posed in the No. 2 jersey during a press conference at the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo on Monday, held to officially announce his signing by the Yomiuri Giants.

According to Japanese media, Yoh signed a five-year deal with the Giants worth 1.5 billion yen (US$12.74 million). The deal puts him alongside former Japanese legends Katsumi Hirosawa (廣澤克己) and Kazuhiro Kiyohara (清原和博) as securing the longest contract ever by a free agent in Japan.

During the press conference, Yoh said he was thrilled to be playing for the Giants and privileged to be wearing the No. 2 jersey, a number that falls between those worn by Hall of Famers Sadaharu Oh (王貞治) and Shigeo Nagashima.

Yoh also mentioned that he was moved when Giants general manager Tatsuyoshi Tsutsumi (堤臣佳) said the team needed his help to win more games.

"I will give my all to help the team with my speed, batting and fielding," he said.

Twenty-nine-year-old Yoh was a Nippon Ham Fighters outfielder for 11 years before he declared himself a free agent last month. The Fighters won this year's Japan Series title, the third in the franchise's history. He has won the Golden Glove Award four times during his time in Japan.